The Church of Scotland’s Mission and Discipleship Council has made its report “Being Single, Being Christian: A resource for congregations” available by download.
Some tidbits:
There are a number of questions which arise: What are the patterns of singleness within our society and the church, and what are the influences upon that? What do single people and their lives, including their sexual lives, tell us about God? What is God’s word on single people and their lives, including their sexual lives? What is it to be single in today’s church and society? Are there particular emphases in Christian faith and life for single people? What does the reality and presence of single people mean for the church?
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Of course, many single people are looking for the intimacy, companionship and security that they perceive a partnership/marriage will bring them, but this is not true of all single people. Being single seems to many to be the best way of fulfillment, caring for family and friends, and contributing to society – and for the Christian, of following Christ. But there is little emphasis in contemporary conversation, media or societal ideals on the contentedly single. This may make singles increasingly insecure as to the validity of their singleness, whether largely chosen or unchosen.
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A revisionist Christian ethic of sex would emphasise that sex be consensual, with adequate provision for contraception, that it involve genuine intimacy rather than a simple physical thrill, that it be generous and self-giving, and that it not involve infidelity to an already-held relationship of trust and commitment.